Lincoln teachers, district still at odds

STOCKTON - The Lincoln Unified School District and its teachers union are officially at an impasse in their contract negotiations, Superintendent Tom Uslan confirmed Wednesday evening.

Comment

By Keith Reid

recordnet.com

By Keith Reid

Posted Mar. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Keith Reid

Posted Mar. 7, 2014 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

STOCKTON - The Lincoln Unified School District and its teachers union are officially at an impasse in their contract negotiations, Superintendent Tom Uslan confirmed Wednesday evening.

Teachers have been looking for restoration of salary and other pay cuts. The union rejected a potential 7.45 percent pay increase last month, reasoning that 2 percent of the proposed raise came with "strings attached" that included asking middle school teachers to increase their contracted hours and called for a student-to-teacher ratio that is higher than the state-suggested 24-to-1.

The union made a counter offer, but the end result was a hearing in front of the Public Employment Relations Board to find out if mediation is required between the two sides.

Uslan said in a text message Wednesday night that the state board "has decided the parties are at impasse" which means a mediator will be brought in to talk to both sides and try to help them reach common ground.

Uslan in a text on Thursday said the district would not be talking on the record about the specific issues. Union co-President Janet Olmstead did not return a call seeking comment, and co-President Lori Thomas' cellphone was answered by her daughter, who said her mother was unavailable Thursday.

Teachers have spoken publicly at recent board meetings. Some have told the board about financial hardships while others expressed frustration with the district's offer, calling it "divisive" to ask teachers to approve a deal that's partially dependent on asking one small group of employees - middle school teachers - to increase their contracted hours.

Trustee President Don Ruhstaller provided little insight into the negotiations, noting only that the board was hoping for an agreement.

"We are not the ones that declared impasse," Ruhstaller said. "I think the district has made its best offer."

Contact reporter Keith Reid at (209) 546-8257 or kreid@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/edublog and on Twitter @KReidme.